Engine control mechanism for steering gears



P 1931- H. MARLES 1,821,942

ENGINE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR STEERING GEARS Fiied Oct. 25, 192

fl (7;); Ma rd es Wm M} W Patented Sept. 8 193i UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE HENRY MARLES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GEMMER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN ENGINE CONTROL MECHANISM IEOIlPi.- STEERING GEARS Application filed October 25, I926. Serial No. 144,121.

The invention relates to engine control mechanisms of the type mounted on the steering wheels of motor vehicles and usually providing independent control for the throttle '5' and spark advance. Where the operat ng handles are arranged above the steering wheel, the connection between the same and the mechanism within the hood is by means of tubular rods concentrically arranged and 19 passing through the steering column. Usually metallic handles or operating levers are attached to the upper ends of the tubes but these are objectionable because of their quick tarnishing characteristics. For this and 15 other reasons it is desirable to substitute other materials such for instance as bakelite or other molded products. However, such materials have not the same mechanical strength as metal and are not as well adapted for connection with the tubular rods.

It is the object of the invention to obtain a construction in which a strong coupling connection is made between the tubular rods and the operating handles and one which per- 85 mits of quick assembly and detachment. To

this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an enlarged cross section so through the upper end of the steering column of a motor vehicle showing the improved control mechanism mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of one of the control handles detached.

Figure 3 is a plan view of. the disk or head for the tubular rod to which the handle is secured.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the snap ring for attaching and detaching the handle from the head.

A is the steering stem and B and C two concentrically arranged tubular rods passing through said stem. D is a conduit for the electrical conductor from the horn button passing through the inner tube 0, these parts being of the usual construction.

To the upper ends of the rods B and O are attached respectively heads E and E preferably metallic disks having hub portions F, F for engagement with said tubes B and C. These disks or heads are non-rotatab'ly secured to the tubes in any suitable manner such as ressing or welding and when the parts are assembled are in superposed relation. G and G are handles or operating 1evers' for the respective tubes- B and C and are of the following construction. The handle G is: formed integral with an annulus H provided at its under side' withen enlarged recess I for receiving the peripheral portion of the disk The fatter as shown in Figure 3 is formed with a plurality of spaced projections J distributed about the periphery thereof and adapted to register with the corresponding recess K in the" annulus Thus when the disk or head is engaged with the annulus it" is rotatatiy coupled thereto.

To retain such engagement the portions of the annulu intenne'diate the recess K are formed with an undercut groove L and a resilient split ring is adapted to be" sprang intoon agenrent with said groovebeneath the head- The, groove L is so located and so fashioned that the M entering the same will wedge upward: a ainst the disk E thereby firmly clamping the latter to the annulus and the handle G. i

The handle G is of similar construction with the excretion that it is provided with a portion N 'orrnin'g a cap over the disk E and centrally provided w th an annular seat for the horn button 0". This button may he ofany suitab e construction adapted to openate a switch P for ciosingf the electrical circuit for the horn.

With the construction as described, semblin tlie parts" the tube B may first be inserted throngh the steering stem until its head or disk E is roperl' positioned after which the handie may e engaged therewith and Iocked by the springring M. In the same manner the tube may be inserted and the handle 8? attached thereto. On account of the comparatively' large diameter of the heads or disks E, E the pressure of the lugs or projections J on the walls of the recesses K is not" excessive and is well within the strength ofthe material of'which the handles are made.

For'c'onvenience inmolding the under-cut groove which receives the spring ring, the portions intermediate the recesses K are cut away at Q, to leave comparatively narrow portions R which are grooved.

lVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of a disk head secured to the upper end of said rod, an operating member recessed to receive said disk and a snap ring for locking said disk in said recess.

2. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of disk head secured to the upper end of said rod, an operating member recessed to nonrotatively receive said disk, and a snap ring for engaging an under-cut bearing in said recessed member to lock said head in engagement therewith.

3. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of a disk secured to the upper end of said rod and provided with one or more radially projecting lugs, an operating member recessed to receive said disk and projecting lug and pro- "vided with a groove in the wall of the recess,

and a snap ring for engaging said groove to lock the disk to said operating member.-

4. The combination with a steering stem,

v oi a plurality of concentrically arranged control rods passing therethrough, of enlarged heads secured to the upper ends of said control rods in superposed relation, operating handles recessed to recelve the respectlve heads and means for retaining said heads in engagement with said recesses.

5. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of.

a substantially circular thin disk head rigidly secured to the upper end of said rod, an operating member recessed to rece ve said disk bearing thereon around the peripheral portion thereof and quick attachment means for securing said member to said disk.

6. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of a disk head secured to the upperend of said rod, an operating member recessed to nonrotatably receive said disk and provided with an annular undercut bearing with an inclined face and a snap ring for engaging the inclined face of said undercut bearingto wedge and retain said disk in tight engagement with said operating member. 7 Y

7. The combination with a steering stem and a control rod passing therethrough, of a substantially circular thin disk head longitudinally secured to the upper end of said control rod for enlarging the diameter there of, an operating handle recessed to receive said enlarged head and bearing thereon around the peripheral portion thereof, and means for locking said head in said recess.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

HENRY MARLES. 

